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Time to Revisit Walnut Hills

a colorful kiteIn 2017, I wrote a blog post about a new tour called Wander Walnut Hills. The article began with:

“We’ve been asked more than once, “What’s next after Over-the-Rhine?” “What Cincinnati neighborhood will be next to burst onto the culinary scene?”

We think we may have found it in historic Walnut Hills, one of Cincinnati’s oldest hilltop neighborhoods located next to Eden Park and not far from Xavier University. Like so many urban areas, Walnut Hills has seen its ups and downs. But buildings once vacant and neglected are springing back to life. Led by the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation, community leaders are formulating a plan to enhance the quality of life in this diverse, walkable neighborhood.”

a street scene with focus on the side of a road

I am happy to report that my words just may be coming true. During the last five years, the Walnut Hills neighborhood has undergone thoughtful orchestrated change. A brewery, several new restaurants, coffee shops, bars, live music, and a scattering of shops and offices have attracted new interest to the old historic neighborhood. Best of all, once empty properties are now apartments and homes where residents actually live and can support these businesses.

In the midst of change, Walnut Hills has maintained its sense of identity as a diverse, historic community. The Walnut Hills Community Council and the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation work hard to maintain and enhance the quality of life for everyone. Property developers like the Model Group have included affordable housing and minority-owned businesses as they transform the neighborhood into mixed use. Throughout the neighborhood, there is a renewed sense of pride and respect for individuals and community.

When we started our Wander Walnut Hills Tour in 2017, we struggled to find enough restaurants to include in a 3-hour walking tour. The route literally wandered more than two miles to get to our stops, and honestly the distance was a little too exhausting for some of our guests. Fast forward through a pandemic and into 2022. We have so many choices within a few blocks that for now we have decided to focus just on the area around the Peebles Corner Historic District. The revised tour relaunched on March 5, 2022, as the Walnut Hills Food and Drink Tour. Information and reservations are available on our website.

a group of people sitting at a table